Grape Variety: 100% Syrah

Growing Region: Languedoc, France

Owner / Winemaker: Jean-Claude Mas

TASTING NOTE:
The owner and winemaker Jean-Claude Mas has made a vibrant red wine from 3 different estates, produced separately and then blending them, keeping the percentages of each parcel to themselves each vintage - as his own little secret.

The parcels of fruit for this wine are sourced from 30 - 47 years old vines. When ripe the selected fruit was machined harvested at night in cooler temperatures to retain bright varietal characters and flavour. Fermentation was initiated at 28C on the first day and then reduced to 25C for the next 4 days. After fermentation, maceration took 6 days with daily pumping over of the cap.

The wine was then very gently pressed with the first pressings being blended; only the free run juice was used in the blend. Before malolactic fermentation 45% of the wine was put in oak barrels. Then when the final blend was made 30% was aged in oak barrels, with Jean-Claude using 70% new American oak and 30% new French oak barrels. The wine was then aged for 5 months in barrels with the wine being racked only once.

In the glass you have a deep purple colour with a garnet red hue. On the nose the wine has hints of dried spice, blackcurrants and violet floral aromas finishing on toasted oak notes. On the palate the wine is full, with smooth velvet tannins. The wine has ripe plum fruit flavours on the middle palate, with liquorice and spicy notes complemented by an approachable mouth-feel, supple tannins and a lingering finish. Best served at 16-17C.

CELLARING POTENTIAL:
Drinking perfectly well this season; and will age well for another 3-4 years.

SUGGESTED FOOD MATCHES:
Perfect wine pairing with BBQ and grilled red meats, well seasoned pizzas and hard cheeses, enjoy.

An approachable, ripe southern France Syrah.